Rail travellers faced more disruption today after a landslide and more wet weather hit services from the Sussex coast.

There are delays of up to 25 minutes on the London to Brighton line because of a flood in Patcham Tunnel, between Hassocks and Preston Park.

Trains are getting through the flood-hit tunnel but more slowly than usual until the water level drops.

There are also delays on the down section of the Quarry Line, which avoids Redhill, because of a landslide in the Merstham area.

The line has been closed and although the line into London is open it is subject to speed restrictions.

The problems have caused delays on both Connex and Thameslink services.

A spokesman for Connex said of the problems in Patcham Tunnel: "We will have to wait until the water level drops. It's not as bad as it was during the very bad weather."

He said it was too early to say when the problems would be resolved and added: "They probably won't affect the Christmas timetable too badly as we are running fewer trains anyway as there is less demand."

Shelly Atlas, of the Brighton Line Commuters organisation for Sussex people using the rail network, said: "It's a nightmare but there's not a lot they can do about a landslide. People are having to get earlier trains and some have been cancelled.

"We've been told this could go on up until Christmas or longer."